Montgomery County Children's Opportunity Alliance Pre-K Capacity Building Grant

Pre-K Capacity Building Grant

Funder: Montgomery County Children's Opportunity Alliance

Geographic Scope: Montgomery County, Maryland

Focus Areas: Early care and education, Pre-K capacity building, staff training, accreditation, instructional quality

Program Overview

Comprehensive capacity building grant to prepare child care centers for the Maryland Blueprint Pre-K Expansion Grant. The program provides individualized assessment of program readiness and customized support based on center strengths, goals, and interests.

Award Period

Fall 2024 through June 30, 2025

Eligibility Requirements

• Required: Child care centers with an EXCELS rating of 3 or higher
• Required: Located in high-need areas of Montgomery County Maryland with high density of low-income families
• Required: Must offer at least a 6.5-hour day program
• Required: Must have at least one teacher with:
- CDA credential, OR - Associate's degree in early childhood education, OR - Bachelor's degree in any field, OR - Teachers working toward these credentials with anticipated completion before the 2025-2026 school year
• Required: Must commit to applying for the MSDE Blueprint Pre-K Expansion Grant for the 2025-2026 school year
• Centers interested in serving or currently serving low-income families with quality Pre-K education

What the Grant Offers

• Individualized assessment of program readiness
• Custom readiness plan
• Support for staff training at higher credentialing levels
• Accreditation support and assistance with accreditation process
• CLASS training and coaching (Classroom Assessment Scoring System) to improve teaching practices and classroom interactions
• Program standards support for alignment with MSDE's new early learning standards and assessment
• Navigation support to identify appropriate county and MSDE resources
• Blueprint Pre-K Grant webinars and technical assistance sessions
• Grant preparation and writing support for Blueprint Pre-K Expansion Grant applications
• Grant budgeting and management support
• Materials expenses for quality improvement related to Blueprint Pre-K (such as accreditation and CDA supports) if no county funding currently exists
• Community of Practice membership with new and existing Blueprint Pre-K grantees for shared learning, peer support, and collaboration

Application Timeline

• Applications reviewed on a rolling basis until funds are expended
• Accepted centers begin technical assistance immediately
• Target to complete preparation for Maryland Pre-K Expansion Grant cycle in spring 2025

Contact Information

Montgomery County Children's Opportunity Alliance 1801 Rockville Pike, Suite 320 Rockville, MD 20852 Website: mocochildren.org

How to Apply

1. Fill out the Microsoft Form with your center's needs and goals
2. Apply Now - Forms available in English and Spanish
3. Submit information about:
- Your center's current EXCELS rating
- Current staffing and credentials
- Interest in Pre-K expansion
- Specific support needs (training, accreditation, CLASS coaching, etc.)

Application Materials

No detailed application requirements specified beyond the Microsoft Form. Applicants will be asked to share their center's needs and goals related to Pre-K capacity building.

Review Process

Applications reviewed on a rolling basis. Once accepted, centers work with technical assistance support immediately.